Word Origin & History

bossy 1540s, "swelling, projecting and rounded, decorated with bosses" from boss (2). Meaning "domineering, fond of ordering people about" is recorded 1882, from boss (1). As a common cow name it represents L. bos "cow."

Example Sentences for bossy

As she came to this field she saw Joe out there with the bossy.

Now that Bossy is gone, I don't know what we are going to do for milk.

Bossy had come in through the swinging door, and was standing there, his eyes getting larger and whiter all the time.

"No wonder Miss Alice Fern is so bossy with him," she thought.

All the rest of the ornamentation is “bossy sculpture,” set on the broad marble surface.

"You're a bossy sort of slob, Heslet Quillan," she said equably.

Now Bossy liked to bunt, too; so when the ran at her she put her down and ran at him!

The bossy was a little afraid they might hurt her baby, so she wasn't quite friendly.

Mac stayed on guard at the fence while I took our potato pail and went over to make the acquaintance of Bossy.